Method book ideas for teaching Blues/Jazz to classically trained ?

[indigo_dave]

Method book ideas for teaching Blues/Jazz to classically trained ?

I posted this on the "Teaching Jazz" forum and didn't get much of a response. So I'm posing this here. I ordered the "Improvising Blues Piano" by Tim Richards since originally posting this. I also posted the following on pianoworld.com and got a few responses.

I'm trying to get my feet wet teaching piano (plan for semi-retirement).
Soooo...I'm supposed to make 2 month plan for teaching Blues and maybe Jazz to people who aren't beginners. I have, saved in my Wish List :

Jazz Theory Resources: Volume 1 by Bert Ligon (and)
Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 by Tim Richards (and)
Improvising Blues Piano - by Tim Richards
Mark Harrison's Blues Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series


Anyone know 'em all and have preferences ? Anyone have others they think are fantastic ? Any other ideas for teaching these styles ?


Thanks,

David

[edrowland]

Make 'em listen. Lots. A serious part of any jazz education. And maybe we would n't have to be subjected to the awful pain of hearing classical musicians not swing.

About 62% serious. It is a serious problem.

[jazzman1945]

Here's more:
Series Dr. John:

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/...lume-1/2969395

Ed Baker Blues riffs for piano:
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Riffs-Pi.../dp/0895249294

There are some good training videos in youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na7SP87hq_Я
etc

But of course listen to the masters - and to repeat them!

[jjo]

I'm an amateur classical piano player who switched to being an amateur jazz player. My teacher didn't use any book. While we referenced Mark Levine's Jazz Piano book at times, she used very simple materials to get me going.

As I can recall, the first week she showed me how to voice a II-V-I and gave me a sequence so that I could play them through all 12 keys. That led pretty quickly to a lead sheet and we worked on voicing an actual tune. At some point she gave me a transcription of a fairly simply solo.

The point is, I'm not sure using books and lessons it a great (or fun) way to teach jazz, other than using them for reference. Figure out what skills you want to teach, and in what order, and it probably won't be hard to come up with simple materials to use.

The biggest problem classical players have is that we're accustomed to being dependent upon written notes. To play jazz you need to get your face out of the music, so the sparser the written materials the better.

I was just relaying the story the other day how a teacher in a group class I was taking (not my regular one) said let's play Rhythm Changes. I said I didn't know them, so just write them out for me. He refused and painfully taught them to me orally. I never had to learn Rhythm Changes again. From that day forward I knew them. That's the approach a classical player needs.

[indigo_dave]

I just ordered the Ed Baker blues riff book Jazzman (thanks). And jjo, I like your suggestions. I've been thinking I'd like to use a blend of method book and coming up with ideas compliment the book. I've been working on little improv exercises for a student to play. Since I'm new to this, I'm not sure of the pacing and sequencing of information. I've been thinking that the pentatonic scale would be a good start played against some open 5ths in the left hand. Kind of a rock/blues thing. Just ideas at this point.

JJO, did you work with modes either before doing the ii V I sequences ? I mean did your teacher have you getting familiar with say the dorian mode in a variety of keys ? I've been thinking that this would be another building block.

[jazzman1945]

Originally Posted by jjo

The biggest problem classical players have is that we're accustomed to being dependent upon written notes.
.

Working with printed music never be an obstacle to study of jazz, just help. Obstacle is active teacher resistance, his claim always to play exclusively in accordance with written musical text ,and nothing else .
Think what would happen if You was forced from childhood to speak only with text on paper ? It is very important- supportive atmosphere around You.

[kingfisher]

I agree with jjo, but I'll take it one step farther; the classically trained pianist is not "dependent upon" written notes, he is a SLAVE to the written notes.

I know, because I was one of those guys, too, and I just started learning jazz in late August. The vast majority of classically trained pianists not only rely on the written notes, but in all likelihood have never played a single note on the piano that wasn't written on the page.

At first, the idea of playing based on chord symbols is intimidating; over time, it becomes liberating. I've gone from scared of chord symbols to mildly annoyed by written notes in three-and-a-half months!

[jazzman1945]

And I take a step further:not a slave, but a musical zombie - result of education, when you're doing just what teacher ordered.I started studying classical music at the age of 8 years, violin and piano, began playing (very not exact melody) "In the Mood" by ear already after 2 months , and not asked anybody ...
================================================== ================================================== =

If there is a question-how to start a classically educated musician to play the blues, then my answer is not from a books. Take blues records, and walk under their rhythm, walk and walk until the body begins to feel the groove. Then You can sit down at the piano.

[jjo]

Inidigo Dave: It was quite a few years ago, but my recollection is we went over Dorian and Myxolidian pretty early on. I think at first we just worked on voicing a tune from a lead sheet. But since I had good basic piano skills, we starting improving very early, and I'm sure the basic modes were part of that.